The five-phase Bihar Assembly elections began on 12 October. The polling concludes on 5 November, while the counting of votes will take place on 8 November.
This election, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is competing against the ruling Janata Dal (United)-led Grand Alliance (or "Mahagathbandhan"), as Nitish Kumar aspires to retain the chief minister's chair.
The first phase of the polls recorded 57 percent turnout from 1.35 crore voters in 49 constituencies, while the second phase recorded 55 percent turnout from 86.1 lakh voters in 32 seats and the third phase 53 percent turnout from 1.45 crore voters in 50 seats.
In the fourth phase, which takes place on 1 November, 55 seats in north-western Bihar, out of the total 243 in the state, will witness polling.
Party-wise candidates
The highest number of candidates in the fourth phase are being fielded by the Bahujan Samaj Party, which is contesting 53 seats, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (42) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (26). Other major players include the JD(U) and the Communist Party of India, with candidates from 21 seats each.
Fourth Phase Polling in Figures
| Number of seats | 55 |
| Total number of voters | 1.47 crore (1,47,39,120) |
| Male voters | 78.65 lakh (78,65,387) |
| Female voters | 68.57 lakh (68,57,218) |
| Third Gender voters | 429 |
| Service voters | 16,086 |
| Polling Stations | 14,139 |
| Candidates in Fray | 776 |
| Women Candidates | 57 |
Interesting Facts
Largest constituency - Bhorey
Smallest constituency - Lauriya
Constituency with maximum number of candidates - Kurhni
Constituency with minimum number of candidates - Kesaria
Bihar polls 2010 outcome
The BJP had won the largest number of seats (26) in the 2010 election among the seats going to polls in the fourth phase. It was followed by the JDU (25), the Congress (3) and the RJD (1).
